My Story: Chronic Illness and Mental Health

Introduction

I remember going to doctor after doctor, specialist after specialist who would tell me there is nothing wrong with me. After all, it was uncommon for a 20-something girl to complain about constant pain. Blood tests and X-rays became a regular part of my life, trying to figure out what was wrong with me - we would find a few discrepancies, but doctors would brush them off as inconsequential and we would be back to square one. I would leave their office feeling disrespected, trivialised and invalidated. One doctor even went as far as saying he will give up his practice if I have an autoimmune condition (as I had meekly suggested). I intend to pay him a visit one of these days. 

By this time, I was already battling depression, which somehow made my physical symptoms even less relevant. “Research has shown that women, people of colour, older people, non-heterosexual people, and individuals with ‘stigmatised’ conditions – like being overweight or having a mental illness – are more frequently misdiagnosed and their symptoms are more frequently dismissed,” says Karen Lutfey Spencer, PhD, a professor of health and behavioural sciences at the University of Colorado in Denver

This was my life for 3 years. 

I would have radiating pain in my lower back, my neck would barely be able to support my neck and every morning I would wake up, I felt as though I’d been run over by a truck. That was not all - most days I would have brain fog, and stiffness in my fingers that would prevent me from typing (I am a writer, so you see how this would be a problem for me). I was tired, all the time. 

This unnamed pain affected every part of my life. I would make plans with my friends on a good day, only to cancel at the last minute, just because my body would refuse to cooperate. I would avoid any vacations or outings that I knew would leave me in more pain. My relationship with my family deteriorated - after all, there is no ‘scale’ for pain, and after a while, they stopped being understanding and started downplaying what I was going through because, from the outside, I seemed fine. In some ways, this ‘chronic’ pain was treated a lot like mental health conditions, with medical gaslighting (and the usual kind, too), abounding. 

When I finally got a diagnosis, I broke down. After having my pain dismissed for years, someone finally believed me - it was not all in my head, I wasn’t imagining it. The angels sang. Hallelujah. 

It dawned on me later that my diagnosis (psoriatic spondyloarthritis, if you are curious), was that of a degenerative, chronic condition that I would have to treat and live with, for the rest of my life. 

The link between chronic illness and mental health 

My story is, unfortunately, not uncommon.

People with chronic health conditions have to face many other issues that ultimately lead them towards a spiral, often culminating in a mental health condition. Those with chronic conditions often have to adjust their aspirations, lifestyle, and employment. Often, the ‘terminal’ diagnosis itself is very hard to process. In fact, depression is one of the most common complications of chronic illness. It's estimated that up to one-third of people with a serious medical condition have symptoms of depression. A chronic illness can make it impossible for you to do the things you enjoy, and it can rob you of your self-confidence and hope. It is not surprising, then, that people suffering from chronic illnesses often feel sad and depressed. In some cases, the physical effects of the condition itself or the side effects of medication lead to depression, too. 

One common aspect of chronic health conditions is often chronic pain. Chronic pain is defined as pain that does not go away after 3 months. The frustration with the inability to meet life’s demands and isolation from not being able to participate in social activities may lead to the development of mental health conditions like depression, which can happen at any age, though it is more common in women. It was also noted that having a chronic pain condition made depressive symptoms last longer compared to those without painful conditions.

Interestingly, "Because of the ubiquity of the message—that pain is a normal part of womanhood or girlhood—, we have a systemic, societal problem where we all, doctors included, aren't good at sorting out the normal from the abnormal for women's health," said Erin Jackson, a healthcare attorney and founder of Inspire Santé, a pelvic pain nonprofit organisation. "Women's veracious complaints of symptoms or illness may be labelled whiny, and we don't trust women to be the experts in their bodies' experiences and autonomy."

Is there hope?

Of course, there is. The process of diagnosis is often complex, as is the treatment, but it is possible. The mind and body are intrinsically connected - what affects one, affects the other.  Seeking professional help is the best way to go about it - a therapist or a psychiatrist who is trauma-informed and knows how to deal with chronic health conditions can make a real difference in your life. They can teach you healthy coping mechanisms, and help you look at the brighter side of life. Here are a few ways they may do so: 

• Antidepressant medication may relieve both pain and depression because of shared chemical messengers in the brain.

• Talk therapy, also called psychotherapy, can be effective in treating both conditions.

• Stress-reduction techniques, physical activity, exercise, meditation, journaling, learning coping skills and other strategies also may help.

• Pain rehabilitation programs, typically provide a team approach to treatment, including medical and psychiatric aspects.

You may also benefit from joining a support group for your specific concern, where you can talk to people going through a similar journey and learn from their experiences. 

Remember, be your own advocate. If you feel dismissed by a medical professional, please do not give up. Get a second opinion, even a third if needed. You deserve to feel heard, and you deserve to feel better.